The Wild Boar or also known as (Sus scrofa) is the ancestor of the domestic pig and a related species with the hippopotamus. It is considered the native of the woodlands across the Central Europe, Asia, southern Indonesia, Mediterranean Region, and has been extensively introduced abroad. The domestication of the Wild Boars was existing 1 million years ago. On average the weight of an adult Wild Boar ranges between 50-90kg, 120-180 cm in length and have a shoulder height of 90cm. The Wild Boar's body is relatively compact, the size of the head is large and the legs are short. The fur contains stiff bristles and its quality is usually fine. However, during winter the fur is much more condensed. The color of the fur is generally brown embedded with black and brown.
Wild Boars are usually located in Europe, they were first brought by the Spanish explorers in the 1500’s (purpose: for food) and later in the 1900’s people started to realize the excitement of hunting pig for sport. After that, the Wild Boar has spread through the Mediterrean Region, Asia and Indonesia. Through the forests to the mountain ranges and swamps.
Wild Boars are used to living in forests near stream. Due to the fact that Boars do not have any sweat glands, it is compulsory for them to wallow in the mud to cool them off. Therefore, they have to live in areas that are cool but not freezing or too hot.
Unlike the domestic pigs, Wild Boars have a variety of habitats. From the tidal marshes to mountain ranges is one of the well-suited areas for the wild pigs. Just like any other animals, they favor the cover of thick brush or the wetland vegetation. They are usually restricted to adopt the areas below the snowline or areas above freezing temperatures, similar to water buffalos.
Wild Boars or even any pig species (Suidae) prefer to live in forests, it is because there are lots of oak trees that produce acorns, and one of the food habitat that supports pigs are the acorn trees. Another interesting thing is that, Wild Boars like to be in a territory, they live in a family party that has a territory of 10-20 sq km.
The Wild Boars usually prefer areas with innumerable amount of trees and woods. Therefore, they prefer forests which generate hardwood. However, they frequently make a journey to the evergreen forests which there are minimum amount of human. They are usually hiding at the pastures waiting for food at night. During warm and hot weather, Wild Boars tend to spend their time in ponds or streams just to shelter themselves.
In the ancient times, the Wild Boar was able to adapt to both environment such as freezing weather and warm weather. However, due to the factors such as global warming, the modern day Wild pigs, domestic pigs are not able to adapt to it.
In conclusion, the ancient Wild Boar was able live in both a cold environment like the “Ice Age” and a warm place like the forests and the domestic pigs or Wild Boar in the modern days are not able to adapt to both “too cold” environment nor “too hot” environment, instead living in a cooler environment like the swamps or the forests.
In Wild Boar species, they have lots of very thick subcutaneous adipose. However, with little blood supply. This is a very important feature for the Wild boar because it immunes them from insect or viper bites. It is one sort of skin that has an effect of armor. Wild Boar is entirely coated with short bristles. Once these bristles are mixed together, it allows the undercoat to be finer and softer. It enhances an effect which thermally isolates the body from external temperatures. Their skin which is dark in color allows them to use it as the winter coat because it’s thick. On the forehead and the shoulders of a Boar, it creates a type of mane and when the Boar is irritated or frightened, the “mane” is straightened. It allows their appearances to look bigger and larger. It helps them because it ballows them to look scary and in some case it might help them have a better safety for themselves.
People think Wild Boar is able to achieve these kinds of adaptation because of some of the environmental pressures. A modern Wild Boar’s habitat is usually in swamps. However due to environmental changes there were evolutions that change the Boar Structural adaptation 2
Wild boar is one of the strongest animals in the world, and there is a reason. They are Boars who have 44 teeth; they consist of 12 incisors, 12 molars, 16 premolars and 4 canines. There molar is usually flattened and they are using for crushing food. Canines, it is referred to as “tusks” for the Wild Boar. It eventually grows for both sexes. The inferior canines are known to be the proper tusk because it is the biggest tusk and it deeply buried through the animals jaw, it is usually 30 cm in length. However, this only applies to male Boar. In a female boar the inferior canines always measure less than 10 cm in length.
There are always purposes when having an adaptation. For the Boar, the tusk has two jobs.
1. Using it as tools, such as digging the earth and rooting for food.
2. Using as defensive or offensive weapon to defend themselves against predators, or usually fighting with other males during mating season. The advantages or the good use of having tusks as a boar are defending it from the predators and rooting the trees.
People see how Wild Boars having such long tusks. Perhaps it all came from living the woods for a long time. Its development could have started from them loving to digging holes finding food or through attacking other mammals or rooting for trees. The repetition of their head usage allows them to develop such long tusks.
Behavioral adaptation 1
Wild Boar’s temper
Wild Boar we know is for hunting, but not easy. They are one of the most aggressive animals we will ever know and also one of the most courageous animals like the lions. If a Boar is surprised they will defend it and even though they are hurt severely, they will still attack not even thinking about the consequences. There is a difference between how the female and male Boar reacts when they are in danger. A male Boar will eventually lower its head, then charge and then slice upwards with their tusks. On the other hand, female Boar would charge with their heads and attacks with their mouths open, biting the opponent. Females do this because they have a much smaller tusk and they are much weaker. This factor of them saving each other is really helpful to the boar because sometimes the predator might just leave because they feel tired or unsafe.
An environmental pressure that would have caused this is that they are always hunted by people. Therefore they are always insecure and that these hunting issues for the Wild Boars have led them to being sad and leading to aggression.
Behavior adaptation 2
Hygiene of a Wild Boar
Wild Boar, we hear lots of beliefs that say Wild Boars are dirty and lazy. However, this is totally wrong. They keep themselves clean daily. It is their habit that they usually go rolling themselves in the mud. This deals a variety of use. It allows for the Boars to refresh during summer and the mud over its skin helps it to protect from heat. It also gives an effect to heal wounds that the animal has got hurt during its travel or through any combats and helps to avoid against parasites. Once the mud is dried they would lean against a tree and rub it off. When there is an absence of water the Boar will eventually shift the soils with its snout and will go through depression. The habit of them cleaning is helpful to its health and to maintain a longer life.
One of the Environmental pressure that could have caused them to cleaning and going through mud would have been them feeling the itchiness from dirt or experiencing the parasites in their body. They would have had this habit of cleaning themselves after finding an interest of having fun in the mud areas and feeling comfortable.
Physiological adaptations
Producing milk
Wild Boars, they are wild but they have the same features just like any other mammals. For example cows, they produce milk and feed their babies. Same with the Wild Boar, the female Boar will eventually produce milk after birth to feed the young. It is really important because it allows the Boar family to be maintained. It is a feature that most mammals tend to have. There are advantages such as safety for the boars, because the Wild Boar doesn’t have to go searching for food for the young but through the Milk process. Some of the environmental pressure that could be is that the Young Boars do not have teeth. Therefore, the generating of milk appears.
Back to Modern
Wild Boar
The Wild Boar or also known as (Sus scrofa) is the ancestor of the domestic pig and a related species with the hippopotamus. It is considered the native of the woodlands across the Central Europe, Asia, southern Indonesia, Mediterranean Region, and has been extensively introduced abroad. The domestication of the Wild Boars was existing 1 million years ago. On average the weight of an adult Wild Boar ranges between 50-90kg, 120-180 cm in length and have a shoulder height of 90cm. The Wild Boar's body is relatively compact, the size of the head is large and the legs are short. The fur contains stiff bristles and its quality is usually fine. However, during winter the fur is much more condensed. The color of the fur is generally brown embedded with black and brown.
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Diagram
Habitat
Wild Boars are usually located in Europe, they were first brought by the Spanish explorers in the 1500’s (purpose: for food) and later in the 1900’s people started to realize the excitement of hunting pig for sport. After that, the Wild Boar has spread through the Mediterrean Region, Asia and Indonesia. Through the forests to the mountain ranges and swamps.
Wild Boars are used to living in forests near stream. Due to the fact that Boars do not have any sweat glands, it is compulsory for them to wallow in the mud to cool them off. Therefore, they have to live in areas that are cool but not freezing or too hot.
Unlike the domestic pigs, Wild Boars have a variety of habitats. From the tidal marshes to mountain ranges is one of the well-suited areas for the wild pigs. Just like any other animals, they favor the cover of thick brush or the wetland vegetation. They are usually restricted to adopt the areas below the snowline or areas above freezing temperatures, similar to water buffalos.
Wild Boars or even any pig species (Suidae) prefer to live in forests, it is because there are lots of oak trees that produce acorns, and one of the food habitat that supports pigs are the acorn trees. Another interesting thing is that, Wild Boars like to be in a territory, they live in a family party that has a territory of 10-20 sq km.
The Wild Boars usually prefer areas with innumerable amount of trees and woods. Therefore, they prefer forests which generate hardwood. However, they frequently make a journey to the evergreen forests which there are minimum amount of human. They are usually hiding at the pastures waiting for food at night. During warm and hot weather, Wild Boars tend to spend their time in ponds or streams just to shelter themselves.
In the ancient times, the Wild Boar was able to adapt to both environment such as freezing weather and warm weather. However, due to the factors such as global warming, the modern day Wild pigs, domestic pigs are not able to adapt to it.
In conclusion, the ancient Wild Boar was able live in both a cold environment like the “Ice Age” and a warm place like the forests and the domestic pigs or Wild Boar in the modern days are not able to adapt to both “too cold” environment nor “too hot” environment, instead living in a cooler environment like the swamps or the forests.
Structural adaptations 1
Wild Boar skin and coat-
In Wild Boar species, they have lots of very thick subcutaneous adipose. However, with little blood supply. This is a very important feature for the Wild boar because it immunes them from insect or viper bites. It is one sort of skin that has an effect of armor. Wild Boar is entirely coated with short bristles. Once these bristles are mixed together, it allows the undercoat to be finer and softer. It enhances an effect which thermally isolates the body from external temperatures. Their skin which is dark in color allows them to use it as the winter coat because it’s thick. On the forehead and the shoulders of a Boar, it creates a type of mane and when the Boar is irritated or frightened, the “mane” is straightened. It allows their appearances to look bigger and larger. It helps them because it ballows them to look scary and in some case it might help them have a better safety for themselves.
People think Wild Boar is able to achieve these kinds of adaptation because of some of the environmental pressures. A modern Wild Boar’s habitat is usually in swamps. However due to environmental changes there were evolutions that change the Boar
Structural adaptation 2
Tusks and teeth-
Wild boar is one of the strongest animals in the world, and there is a reason. They are Boars who have 44 teeth; they consist of 12 incisors, 12 molars, 16 premolars and 4 canines. There molar is usually flattened and they are using for crushing food. Canines, it is referred to as “tusks” for the Wild Boar. It eventually grows for both sexes. The inferior canines are known to be the proper tusk because it is the biggest tusk and it deeply buried through the animals jaw, it is usually 30 cm in length. However, this only applies to male Boar. In a female boar the inferior canines always measure less than 10 cm in length.
There are always purposes when having an adaptation. For the Boar, the tusk has two jobs.
1. Using it as tools, such as digging the earth and rooting for food.
2. Using as defensive or offensive weapon to defend themselves against predators, or usually fighting with other males during mating season. The advantages or the good use of having tusks as a boar are defending it from the predators and rooting the trees.
People see how Wild Boars having such long tusks. Perhaps it all came from living the woods for a long time. Its development could have started from them loving to digging holes finding food or through attacking other mammals or rooting for trees. The repetition of their head usage allows them to develop such long tusks.
Behavioral adaptation 1
Wild Boar’s temper
Wild Boar we know is for hunting, but not easy. They are one of the most aggressive animals we will ever know and also one of the most courageous animals like the lions. If a Boar is surprised they will defend it and even though they are hurt severely, they will still attack not even thinking about the consequences. There is a difference between how the female and male Boar reacts when they are in danger. A male Boar will eventually lower its head, then charge and then slice upwards with their tusks. On the other hand, female Boar would charge with their heads and attacks with their mouths open, biting the opponent. Females do this because they have a much smaller tusk and they are much weaker. This factor of them saving each other is really helpful to the boar because sometimes the predator might just leave because they feel tired or unsafe.
An environmental pressure that would have caused this is that they are always hunted by people. Therefore they are always insecure and that these hunting issues for the Wild Boars have led them to being sad and leading to aggression.
Behavior adaptation 2
Hygiene of a Wild Boar
Wild Boar, we hear lots of beliefs that say Wild Boars are dirty and lazy. However, this is totally wrong. They keep themselves clean daily. It is their habit that they usually go rolling themselves in the mud. This deals a variety of use. It allows for the Boars to refresh during summer and the mud over its skin helps it to protect from heat. It also gives an effect to heal wounds that the animal has got hurt during its travel or through any combats and helps to avoid against parasites. Once the mud is dried they would lean against a tree and rub it off. When there is an absence of water the Boar will eventually shift the soils with its snout and will go through depression. The habit of them cleaning is helpful to its health and to maintain a longer life.
One of the Environmental pressure that could have caused them to cleaning and going through mud would have been them feeling the itchiness from dirt or experiencing the parasites in their body. They would have had this habit of cleaning themselves after finding an interest of having fun in the mud areas and feeling comfortable.
Physiological adaptations
Producing milk
Wild Boars, they are wild but they have the same features just like any other mammals. For example cows, they produce milk and feed their babies. Same with the Wild Boar, the female Boar will eventually produce milk after birth to feed the young. It is really important because it allows the Boar family to be maintained. It is a feature that most mammals tend to have. There are advantages such as safety for the boars, because the Wild Boar doesn’t have to go searching for food for the young but through the Milk process. Some of the environmental pressure that could be is that the Young Boars do not have teeth. Therefore, the generating of milk appears.
Bibliography
Extension organization. (2010). Wild boar habitats. Retrieved 2nd July, 2010, from
http://www.extension.org/pages/Wild_Pigs
Nature. (2007). Wild Boar structure. Retrieved 5th July, 2010 from
http://www.itsnature.org/ground/mammals-land/wild-boar/
Marremaguide. (2008) Wild Boar adaptations. Retrieved 5th July, 2010 from
http://www.maremmaguide.com/wild-boar-facts.html
American Wild Boar. (2007) Wild Boar history. Retrieved 6th July, 2010 from
http://www.suwanneeriverranch.com/wild-boar.htm
Genetics organizations. (2000). Wild Boar Genetics. Retrieved 6th July, 2010 from
http://www.genetics.org/cgi/content/full/154/4/1785